George Szirtes, Judge of the The William Blake Poetry Prize 2015, talks about the entries

Prize 2013

George Szirtes, Judge of the The William Blake Poetry Prize 2015, talks about the entries

You can’t imitate genius you can only quarrel with it. That sounds almost convincing, doesn’t it? Well, not quite. You can send it up, use it as a platform, nail a reference to it, breathe it in slowly like a heady scent, or fill... read more »

Read 'Upanishadic Poem' - Maria Lancaster, Commended 2015

Read Upanishadic Poem - Maria Lancaster, Commended. Upanishadic Poem - Maria Lancaster NB: Please note that all but this poems can only be read as  a pdf file which will open as a separate document. Please use your back button on your browser to return... read more »

The William Blake Poetry Prize Rules - 2015

Competition Rules - 2015 COMPETITION CLOSED NB- these have provided here to allow entrants of future competitor a guide to previous rule - please note however these may change, without notice, for each competition held. Closing date of the competition is midnight on September 2nd... read more »

Nominations for Winner of the The William Blake Poetry Prize 2013 Announced

The winning nominations were: Kate Pollard, Life’s Quest Nicole Beard, Smelly Baby read more »

Smelly Baby (Nicole Beard) – Finalist 2013

Smelly baby   you smell not of bad things sad things or moldy old things but you do smell   you smell not of dirty things or murky things or rusty earthy things but you do smell   you smell not of muddy things or grubby things or musty disgusting things but you do smell   You smell of milky things silky things fresh cotton and fluffy things but you do smell     You... read more »

Hangman (Kevin Short) – Finalist 2013

HANGMAN HANGMAN, HANGMAN, HANG IN LOOSE I GOT NOOSE FOR YOU I’M NOT GONNA DIE TODAY NOW WHATCHA GONNA DO AND HE GRABBED MY LEGS STABBED MY CHEST TRIED TO KILL ME WITH A BOY SCOUT KNIFE BUT WHEN I SHOUTED AKALA HIS FACE GREW PALER HE TRIED TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE,... read more »

Transparency by Richard Biddle - The William Blake Poetry Prize 2013 Winner!

Transparency Rain that wept from the gutter last night has slowed to a glycerin drip. Now it comes, one clear tear at a time. A perfect lens capturing a whole world inside its micro-mirror, split second drop. And just for a moment, I too am within its pear-shaped prism. And just for... read more »